Chapter VII: Ethics

The dental surgeon, in the service of the individual and of public health, carries out his mission with respect for life and the human person. It is his duty to assist the competent authorities in their efforts to protect health.

All dental surgeons must refrain, even outside the practice of their profession, from any act likely to bring it into disrepute. Dental surgeons are prohibited from practising, at the same time as dentistry, any other activity incompatible with their professional dignity.

Dental surgeons must under no circumstances practise their profession in conditions likely to compromise the quality of the care and procedures provided or the safety of patients. In particular, he must take, and ensure that his assistants take, all appropriate measures to avoid the transmission of any pathology whatsoever. Save in exceptional circumstances, he must not perform procedures, give care or formulate prescriptions in areas that exceed his professional competence…

Except in cases of force majeure, all dentists must provide emergency assistance to a patient in immediate danger if other care cannot be provided.

All dentists are bound by professional secrecy, unless otherwise provided by law. Confidentiality covers everything that comes to the knowledge of the dental surgeon in the exercise of his profession, i.e. not only what has been entrusted to him, but also what he has seen, heard or understood.

The dental surgeon must ensure that the persons assisting him in his work are informed of their obligations in terms of professional secrecy and comply with them.

With a view to respecting professional secrecy, all dental surgeons must ensure that clinical records, documents and computer media which they may hold or use concerning patients are protected against any indiscretion. When using their medical observations for scientific publications, dentists must ensure that patients cannot be identified.

Dental surgeons may not alienate their professional independence in any way or in any form whatsoever.

The following principles, which are traditional in the practice of dentistry, are binding on all dentists, except in cases where their observance would be incompatible with a legislative or regulatory requirement, or would be likely to compromise the rational operation and normal development of social medical services or institutions. These principles are Free choice of the dental surgeon by the patient; Freedom of prescription by the dental surgeon; Direct agreement…

Dentists must treat all their patients with the same conscience, regardless of their origin, morals and family situation, their membership or non-membership of a particular ethnic group, nation or religion, their disability or state of health, their reputation or any feelings they may have towards them.